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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






2. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






3. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






4. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






5. The unit of musical rhythm.






6. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






7. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






8. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






9. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






10. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






11. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






12. A direction to play lively and fast.






13. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






14. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






15. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






16. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






17. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






18. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






19. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






20. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






21. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






22. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






23. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






24. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






25. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






26. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






27. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






28. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






29. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






30. A symbol indicating to play loud.






31. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






32. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






33. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






34. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






35. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






36. The structure of a piece of music.






37. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






38. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






39. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






40. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






41. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






42. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






43. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






44. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






45. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






46. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






47. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






48. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






49. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






50. Lowest female singing voice.







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